His daughter got a general contractor's license herself and was in the construction business before she enrolled in the University of Florida law school at age 32.

From there, Underwood practiced construction law in the Orlando area. Ten years ago she started her own firm and continued handling construction-related legal matters as an attorney, mediator and arbitrator.

On Sept. 10, Gov. Rick Scott appointed her to the bench.

Underwood has fond memories of growing up in Ocala, which she recalled as “a small town, a very comfortable town.”

She went to kindergarten at Wyomina Park (classmates included Superintendent of Schools George Tomyn,) middle school at Fort King, and high school at Vanguard, where she was cheer captain.

Her brother, known to all as De, played football at Ocala High School (Vanguard wasn't built yet) and still lives in Summerfield.

Christi Underwood remembers night games at Booster Stadium, marching in the Christmas Parade, and “all the camaraderie of the neighborhood.”

“Those were exciting times,” she said.

Underwood's father died in 1991. Her mom, Ann, lives in Winter Park. Her daughter, Jetti Gibson is a U.S. Navy lieutenant and attorney in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.

<p>Christi Underwood was practically born with a hammer in her hand. Starting Oct. 28, she will trade that for a gavel.</p><p>The Ocala native has been appointed as a circuit judge for the 9th Judicial Circuit, which includes Orlando.</p><p>Underwood's father, L.D. Underwood Jr., was a longtime construction superintendent for Drake Contracting in Ocala. He helped build Vanguard High School.</p><p>His daughter got a general contractor's license herself and was in the construction business before she enrolled in the University of Florida law school at age 32.</p><p>From there, Underwood practiced construction law in the Orlando area. Ten years ago she started her own firm and continued handling construction-related legal matters as an attorney, mediator and arbitrator.</p><p>On Sept. 10, Gov. Rick Scott appointed her to the bench.</p><p>Underwood has fond memories of growing up in Ocala, which she recalled as “a small town, a very comfortable town.”</p><p>She went to kindergarten at Wyomina Park (classmates included Superintendent of Schools George Tomyn,) middle school at Fort King, and high school at Vanguard, where she was cheer captain.</p><p>Her brother, known to all as De, played football at Ocala High School (Vanguard wasn't built yet) and still lives in Summerfield.</p><p>Christi Underwood remembers night games at Booster Stadium, marching in the Christmas Parade, and “all the camaraderie of the neighborhood.”</p><p>“Those were exciting times,” she said.</p><p>Underwood's father died in 1991. Her mom, Ann, lives in Winter Park. Her daughter, Jetti Gibson is a U.S. Navy lieutenant and attorney in the Judge Advocate General's Corps.</p>